In 1975 members of the Autism Society of Los Angeles established Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc. (JNCS), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, providing care for people with autism and other disabilities in group settings.

But in 1992, JNCS  closed their group homes. In their place, they began providing individualized support to people, helping them  live in their own homes, have jobs, and participate in other community activities.

Today, the mission of JNCS is to enable individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities to live fulfilling lives as members of the community by providing support services customized to their individual needs.

The leading provider of personalized support services in California,  most of its clients are concentrated in Southern California, particularly Los Angeles, Santa Clara and surrounding counties.

What do they do? They offer…

Supported Employment and Personalized Day Support programs (meant to be a compliment to employment, not a substitute.)  ”Personalized Day Support would provide services around the hours of employment and then assist the person to find volunteer work, attend school, and considering opening up their own business.”

Customized services and tools for each individual, including training and companionship.

Professional webinars and training across a wide spectrum of issues to help people with autism and other disabilities achieve their life goals.

Family support services, geared toward providing the assistance that a family may need, or desire in order to ensure that the family remains together.

For more information about Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc., visit their website: http://jaynolan.org

Besides their many children’s programs, they also offer many individualized programs for adults, including a new, integrated work and community inclusion program.

With a primary goal of promoting independence in their clients…

• HOPe completes an in-depth profile of the individual to determine preferences and appropriateness of placement.
• Clients are provided with career options and assistance in defining recommended job goals.
• Our staff helps the individual with specific training to be able to perform the job consistently and effectively.
• HOPe’s staff continues individual support through job interviewing, procurement and on-site job supervision until our client is satisfactorily confident in his/her position.

Thumbnail photo from their site.

Groups are now forming in the greater Boston, Massachusetts area.  It will run for 10 consecutive Mondays from October 3 to December 5, and take place at the NESCA offices at 55 Chapel Street in Newton.

Group meetings provide detailed, step-by-step instruction on everything from career research to resume writing, networking and interviewing. Weekly assignments build skills and confidence, and offer hands on experience with resume writing, networking, interviewing and more. Individual check-ins provide personalized assistance and support throughout the program.

Topics include: decoding the language of job postings; networking; overcoming telephone phobia; thinking like an employer; marketing yourself without lying; disclosure and accommodations; and staying motivated.

A comprehensive section on interviewing explains how to navigate a job interview, answer common questions, discuss salary, convey enthusiasm, and more.

Three books, assessments, worksheets, articles, a written resume critique and checklists are included. Group size is limited to 8 to ensure full participation by all. The material is geared to individuals who are seeking competitive (not sheltered or supported) employment.

Please pass this information on to individuals who are struggling to find employment.  A description of the program, downloadable brochure and registration form are on the Forward Motion Coaching Web site: www.forwardmotion.info/collcareer.html

Thumbnail image from http://www.ecenglish.com

We are in the very early stages of the project.  We are looking to locate in McIntosh County, Georgia, right off I-95, inbetween Savannah and Jacksonville, Florida.  Our Chamber has told us that over 49,000 cars pass us daily.

We are looking for people and money resources.  We have found a 44 acre farm that already does some organic farming.  We hope to sell the produce locally and commercially.  We also want to do a bakery/restaurant using products from the farm.  We also want to rescue shelter dogs and train them as therapy animals. Our hope is that not only will our autistic kids (they are all kids to me) get job skills training, but healthy life skills training as well.  I have seen too many autistic young adults with talents, skills, and intelligence be overlooked or delegated to menial tasks.  These kids need to have a sense of pride in what they do and be able to have economic independence.  We welcome anyone with ideas and their willingness  to help.  One of our goals is to be able to create a plan that other communities can replicate so that more kids would have the opportunity to get involved.”

For more information on McIntosh Farmstead, including how to help this dream become reality… send an email to beachmama4ever (at) yahoo (dot) com (Be sure to write “McIntosh Farms” in the subject box or it won’t be read!)

photo from http://stillisstillmoving.com/willienelson/willie-nelson-and-farm-aid-call-for-more-mid-sized-farms/

There are four components of Career Solutions, Inc.’s supported employment services: job development, job placement, job coaching and on-going, follow-up support. They help determine the best type of employment in relation to the individual’s needs and abilities, make job placements on a case-by-case basis, provide on-the-job training via a job coach, and follow up with the individual and employer to address any additional requirements or problems.

In their Continuing Education program, they focus on independent living, social and employment related skills.

Independent Living instructors provide instruction in the client’s own home,  assisting with skills relating to money management, health and safety, interpersonal relations, career enhancement and development, community awareness, recreational skills, nutrition, hygiene and leisure.

For a transition-age (age 18-21) student with a disability, Career Solutions provides services “designed with an outcome-oriented process that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment, continuing education, adult services, independent living, and community participation.”

Career Solutions, Inc., along with The Arc of Omaha, form Ollie Webb Center, Inc.

For more information about Career Solutions, Inc., including eligibility, click HERE.

Photo from Career Solutions, Inc.

That’s the mission of the Transition to Adulthood Program, created thanks to a grant awarded to St. Michael’s Harbor, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, and funded by Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Autism Services.

According to the website,  the program “…is designed to bridge service gaps to aid individuals with ASD in finding meaningful paid employment. TAP works in partnership with local school districts, PA CareerLink, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and SSA Ticket to Work program to offer integrated vocational services and transitional planning.”

The program “offers support and training for other involved counselors, agencies, or community resources” and “works in partnership with community services to support the full potential for independence in the individual including integration and collaboration with existing community support services, churches, schools, advocacy groups, civic and fraternal organizations to develop the means to solve barriers to independence.”

For more information, go to http://www.transitiontoadulthood.org and http://www.stmichaelsharbour.com

Photo courtesy of Transition to Adulthood website.